David A. Colligan

Experience

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  The Walt Disney Company

  Aug 2003 - Jun 2006

  Intern, Campus Ambassador for University of Louisiana Lafayette

  • Received Communications Ducktorate and completed World Class Cast Member Training from Disney University• Completed entry-level internship focused on providing Marketing and Promotions assistance for the Kodak holiday and Haunted Mansion movie release activities• Assisted an elite team of fellow Campus Ambassadors in communicating with University officials and successfully recruiting new students for possible internships with The Walt Disney Company

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  Lafayette Economic Development Authority

  Aug 2005 - Oct 2013

  Manager of Business Development

  • Conducted community engagement and market research to author a market study and proactive marketing plan for industry development and target markets in Lafayette Region between 2007 and 2010, and the Lafayette’s Creative Blueprint for growth of the creative industries (2013)• Developed an innovative model to compare project attributes for economic competitiveness between Lafayette and different locations in the nation; the framework has since been used to prepare more than 60+ proposals and presentation while managing teams for completing an average of 130 annual responses to Requests for Information or Requests for Properties • Created and implemented an annual marketing schedule of 40+ activities originating from the Business Development department; budgets ranged from $60,000 to $200,000• Produced nine marketing campaigns promoting opportunity for seamless market entry to businesses in target industries, two of which were recognized by the Southern Economic Development Council, generating measurable interest in the region including inquiries and visits • Built and maintained relationships with more than 220 lead generators including national industry consultants, international consulates and business advisors, financial brokers, as well as commercial real estate and site selection agents• Established relationships with more than 150 local commercial real estate agents and 20 infrastructure providers, allowing the organization to promptly identify locations eligible for potential expansion or relocation projects• Project-managed more than 80+ expansion or development projects, with the eight largest projects creating more than 1,185 new jobs and attracting more than $230M of investment into the region• Hosted 47 international delegations, provided logistical assistance and corporate match-making services; efforts included hosting three annual business development missions to introduce local leadership to out-of-state company executives Show less

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  City of Austin, TX

  Oct 2013 - Apr 2018

  Manager of Global Business Recruitment & Expansion

  • Held mid-level management role involving supervision of six full-time employees and $934K divisional budget• Conducted an 18-month public outreach process for rewriting the City’s Economic Development Policy– addressing business expansion, workforce development, small business, creative industries, real estate development, and social enterprise needs • Analyzed competitive business expansion projects that may be eligible for local incentive programs, successfully negotiating ten performance-based expansion projects estimated to create 2,797 new full-time jobs, retain 2,671 full-time jobs, and secure $305Mof investment to the City of Austin• Developed and deployed the City of Austin’s Creative Content Incentive Program to attract short-term, media related projects, in addition to initiating the first-ever Media Production Development Zone in the State of Texas; efforts secured four projects, generating $28.3M and creating 300 full-time jobs- as well as 1,065 contract positions for local creatives • Administered $3M in contracts and determined the Workforce Development Roadmap for the organization, which included the connection of Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s Master Community Workforce Plan• Served as the Mayor’s appointee for Economic Development on the Central Texas Workforce Investment Board • Captured $52M in local investment from 2016-2018 International Program through development of #ATXBound brand• Leveraged relationships with 13 Sister-Cities for cultural, educational and business exchange while also coordinating relationships amongst 11 “Science Cities” designated by the International Association of Science Parks• Led outbound business delegations with elected officials and Chambers of Commerce in markets such as South Korea, Pakistan, India and Mexico; hosted an annual average of 120 international delegations and facilitated pitch sessions with Alibaba to connect Austin businesses with 13,000+ Chinese buyers/distributors Show less

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  City of Austin, Economic Development Department

  Mar 2015 - Jan 2016

  Acting Manager of Redevelopment Services

  • Held mid-level management role involving supervision of ten full-time employees and a $1.6M divisional budget• Managed a portfolio of active design and construction projects— including extensive renovations and improvements within the Seaholm District, Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Redevelopment, Second Street and Downtown Development District• Worked with Downtown Austin Alliance to evaluate the development of an Economic Development Corporation to realize the vision and goals stated in the 2011 Downtown Austin Plan and possible expansion of their service area to include the South Central Waterfront District; additionally worked with the Downtown Austin Alliance to collect research aimed at addressing needs for policy updates and programmatic use of the Department’s Business Retention and Enhancement Fund • Researched and developed policy recommendations to address current funding and future creation of Public Improvement Districts; additionally engaged in the design and deployment of Soul-y Austin, a business district incubation program that serves as the division’s new outreach method to support sustainable, business driven, urban place-making Show less

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  City of Austin, Economic Development Department

  Apr 2018 - Jul 2020

  Acting Assistant Director

  • Appointed to role by the City Manager, holding executive oversight of ~74 full-time employees and a $21M+ departmental budget• Led development and execution of third-party contracts to deliver $25M in CARES Act funding to Austin creatives, non-profits and businesses • Developed a three-year budget and implementation strategy to support a $4.6M Strategic Investment Unit, in addition to handling the administrative development and launch of a Chapter 380 Business Expansion Program and developing/proposing additional programs, policies and services to improve collaboration between residents, lodging and music establishments • Proposed policy, programs and services in support of improving sound compatibility between residents, lodging and live music establishments • Coordinated the organizations involvement in the regional Workforce Development Roadmap—creating a comprehensive, data-driven contract management framework to improve overall effectiveness of services on behalf of the organization• Conducted a feasibility study and drafted a specific proposal to create an Economic Development entity to support development of affordable housing, redevelopment, revitalization and other priority projects and goals of the City• Drove development and execution of programs to combat "food deserts" and attract groceries to areas lacking healthy food access• Deployed a Business Retention and Expansion Strategy and new CRM system to enable data-driven decision making• Coordinate evaluation of department and organizational needs for incubation of new or emerging industry development efforts Show less

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  Rally Austin

  Jul 2020 - now

  Chief Operating Officer

  • Appointed to C-level role focused on establishing a new public real estate development and financing corporation created by Austin City Council• Established the organization as a quasi-public, 501(c)3 non-profit and branded the organization around a "Rally Austin" identity to increase market awareness, managing all related communications and change management activities over an eight-month period• Oversee delivery/advancement of a total project portfolio estimated at $150M, in addition to a $35.7M interlocal agreement with the City of Austin that includes $10.8M in operational funding, $12M in voter approved bonds for arts, music and cultural venue preservation funding, and $12.9M in mixed funding• Led development of financing vertical to include bond issuance, loan services and grant disbursement while simultaneously leveraging the use of other project- and location-specific funding options with the City of Austin and other public bodies in the region• Provide fiscal stewardship to ensure funding sustainability, including developing and monitoring the organizational budget and serving as the lead for the annual audit, 990, annual reporting, and other regulatory filings• Support fundraising and development efforts that have exceeded targets by 15-20% annually• Rolled out a series of updated procurement policies/practices and negotiated over 30 vendor contracts to enhance the organization's capabilities in the areas of administration, finance, legal, finance, IT, and public relations• Serve as the Human Resources manager for the organization and authored the Employee Handbook to clarify all expected behaviors and minimize potential confusion, risk, and liability• Direct all board development, communications, and compliance activities according to local and state regulations—including the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Public Information Act Show less